UPDATE as of June 26, 2006: Our Training Partner dogs are no longer located at Tylertown. The majority of the dogs are now at our Sanctuary in Kanab. If you are interested in participating in the program or would like to learn more about it, please go to
http://network.bestfriends.org/Campaigns/TrainerTab.aspx?g=e0fff6b53f5f41bdac7d0d13572bd724.
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Best Friends is looking for experienced dog trainers who are prepared to work with us in addressing the needs of Katrina animals with serious behavioral challenges.
We're now in the closing stages of the Best Friends rescue operation in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast.
SO FAR: About 4,000 rescued, hundreds reunited with their families, most of the rest in foster/adoption homes or in the care of humane groups around the country. This past weekend, we held a Best Friends Super Adoption in New Orleans, including homeless pets from humane groups and animal control shelters throughout the region. Over 100 dogs and cats were adopted into good homes.
STILL TO GO: There remain about 60 dogs who need special care. And we're turning to you - the nation's top trainers and rescue groups - for help.
These dogs were rescued from a traumatic situation and are now living in a high volume facility - they need a serious rehabilitative program to turn them around. We are looking for trainers who have the expertise to handle human and dog aggressive dogs.
So we're asking any and all of you who have the appropriate expertise to help these dogs to join with us in saving them, working with them, and preparing them for good permanent homes.
We know that caring for them and giving them the training they need will take time and expense, so here's our proposal:
THE PLAN
1. Come down to the Best Friends rescue center at Tylertown, outside of New Orleans. Best Friends will pay for your travel and accommodation.
2. We'll introduce you to the dogs, help you select one or more whom you feel you can work with, and send them back with you. For groups taking five or more dogs, we'll provide the additional transport.
3. Once they're in your care, we'll provide $1,000 per dog upfront to cover any medical costs or other special care needs. After that, we'll cover any continuing medical costs up until the time of their adoption.
4. We'll also showcase the great work you're doing - on the Best Friends website, by getting word out across the Internet and through local or national media wherever possible and appropriate. We want the world to know about the work you're doing for these much maligned dogs.
We know that with good, patient care, these dogs can be saved. Many can be placed in good homes. And the idea of them being destroyed is just unimaginable - not after all they've been through and after all the work that heroic volunteers have put into rescuing and caring for them. So, if you are an experienced dog handler who knows that firm direction, love and kindness can turn a dog around, please go to the
Adoptions Tab to help.
THE WASHINGTON PITS: One more thing. A couple of months ago, Best Friends was involved in another rescue situation when we were approached by the sheriff of Washington County, Utah, who had taken in 51 pit bulls and was looking for an alternative to destroying them. We couldn't add these to the growing numbers here at the sanctuary and at our Gulf Coast rescue centers, but we were, and still are, able to help in other ways. Most of these dogs have already been placed into rescue or permanent homes, but 13 are still being boarded in Las Vegas and are at risk.
We are making the same offer for these remaining 13 dogs in need. For any qualified trainer or other expert or rescue group who can take in any of these dogs and give them the care they need, we'll provide the same transport and funding for medical care, and we'll work with you to showcase the great work you're doing.
AND SPEAKING OF SHOWCASING . . .
There is, of course, the much bigger issue of pit bulls nationwide. More and more, these basically good-natured dogs are being subjected to breed discrimination that does nothing to get at the underlying problems of animal abuse and neglect.
These dogs are not the aggressors; they are the victims. And if, between us all, we show what can be done for a much-publicized collection of them, we'll be playing a critical role in turning things around for these innocent creatures.
Please go to to the
Adoptions Tab to help.